Recognition of Cuba!

The big news this week is President Obama's announcement that diplomatic relations will be restored with Cuba.  See his full speech here.  This move was long overdue, and it's a measure of Obama's pragmatism that he was the president to finally end an outmoded strategy that had stopped serving  the interests of both the United States and the Cuban people decades ago.  Further, it's another example of the president making good on his stated resolve to take all the steps he unilaterally can under his constitutional executive powers to make progress on solving any number of festering national problems.

After four years of futilely seeking common ground with the congressional Republican majority, it's ironic that GOP victory in the 2014 midterms has released Obama from political concerns and freed him to do what is right in the humanitarian and national interest.  First came his groundbreaking agreement with China on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, next was his  Executive Order on immigration enforcement, and now comes recognition of Cuba.  That is something congress can do nothing about, though they alone can remove the economic sanctions still in place against the island nation. 

The diplomatic recognition follows the formula laid out over 190 years ago in the Monroe Doctrine, that in dealing with foreign powers the United States will "consider the government de facto as the legitimate government for us..."  Thus diplomatic recognition is not a "reward" bestowed on governments we approve of, it is a recognition of the facts of political life.  It is also a bow to the reality that we can have no influence over a nation with which we have no relations.  It is a childish notion indeed that we can hold our breath and stop speaking to a government and that they then will capitulate to all our wishes.  It hasn't worked for 53 years, and dead-enders who want to continue the policy do so reflexively, with no serious way forward in prospect.  Indeed, the history of our relations with the Soviet Union, Vietnam, China and others, give every indication that establishing relations with former adversaries and increasing their contacts with American people and commerce accelerate changes for the good in such closed societies. 

The ability to keep nine exploratory sessions so secret with Cuba is a marvel in today's media climate, involving as they did not only the U.S. and Cuba but also the good offices of Canada and the Vatican.  One wonders what other remarkable and long-needed initiatives the Obama Administration may have in store.  I'm betting there are more, and that most of them will inspire apoplexy among congressional Republicans.  That will make them all the more delightful.